A MAJOR collection of books, documents and artefacts have been gifted to the University of Reading.
The Solange and Stephen James Joyce Collection will provide new insights on the relationship between James Joyce and Samuel Beckett.
Among the donations is a telegram sent by Beckett to Joyce on his 49th birthday, 91 years ago.
It reads: “Teems of times and happy returns. Beckett,” and suggests a close and friendly relationship between Beckett and his mentor.
The University of Reading already boasts one of the largest Beckett archives in the world and its team are excited to learn more about the two giants of 20th century literature.
Dr Mark Nixon, an English literature researcher and co-director of the University’s Beckett International Foundation, said: “The unusual birthday telegram from Beckett to Joyce says much about them as friends.
“The new collection silverplates the relationship we knew existed between Beckett and Joyce, with their personal correspondence shedding fresh light on the closeness between the two.
“Such gems will prove invaluable to those studying these two historic writers.”
The collection was announced today, Wednesday, February 2, in line with the centenary of Joyce’s novel Ulysses, considered by many as one of the greatest and most influential novels ever written in English.
Among the highlights is a large number of letters to Joyce from writers such as H.G Wells, a wealth of personal items and a great number of published editions of works by and about Joyce.
Professor Robert Van de Voort, vice-chancellor of the University of Reading, said: “James Joyce was a writer who transformed our ideas about the world, about creativity and about humanity.
“His letters, manuscripts and artefacts are rightly treasured but we are taking this collection not just to protect it but to share it.”
Due to the extraordinary scale of the collection, the University expects researchers, scholars and the public from around the world to enjoy access to this resource.
Guy Baxter, head of archive services at the University of Reading, said: “We hope that this collection will provide inspiration to visitors and online audiences across the world.
“Our priority in the coming months is to make final arrangements to bring all parts of the collection together in its new home and to begin the task of cataloguing, so that this unique resource can be made accessible.”
